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University of Florida

Gilman Scholars from UF describe their global learning opportunities


UF recently ranked 14th in the nation among large institutions in producing Benjamin A. Gilman international scholars. Managed by the U.S. Department of State, the Gilman Program provides merit-based scholarships to undergraduate students pursuing academic studies and internships abroad. Three Gilman scholars from UF share how the program supported them over the summer and how their time abroad has shaped their educational experience.

Gabriela Martinez Rodriguez

A young woman doing a gator chomp while standing next to a large, trapezoidal stone fixture

Gabriela Martinez Rodriguez participated in the “UF in Wales: Writing in International Studies, Law, & Relations” program. The opportunity combined academic and professional experience through an internship and a writing class. Martinez Rodriguez interned with Support Through Court, a local charity that helps individuals who cannot afford an attorney navigate the legal system. This gave her hands-on experience, as she worked directly with clients to navigate the Welsh legal system.

In addition to professional development, Martinez Rodriguez wanted to push herself outside her comfort zone personally. Prior to studying abroad, she had limited experience traveling outside the U.S. and her ancestral country of Cuba. Martinez Rodriguez felt that the Gilman Scholarship made studying abroad feel more attainable. The program’s financial support took stress off her shoulders, making it easier to fully engage with her program. 

“Being exposed to different cultures, meeting people from different backgrounds, and working within a different legal system has made me realize there are opportunities beyond what I originally imagined for myself,” she said.

Andrea Blanco Robles

A young woman sitting at a microscope wearing a white lab coat

Andrea Blanco Robles participated in “UF in Ireland: Internship and Global Culture.” The 10-week program featured a credit-based internship and a course on Irish culture and intercultural communication.

For her internship, Blanco Robles worked in a histology lab in Dublin. The lab offered unique hands-on experience, like processing patient biopsy samples and preparing histological slides for pathologists to use in diagnoses. Blanco Robles said the experience provided her with valuable knowledge as she works toward attending medical school. The Gilman scholarship ensured she could gain that experience without relying on a loan to cover expenses.

“As a first-generation college student, I didn’t grow up knowing what to expect from college, but I always heard how transformative studying abroad could be,” said Robles. “I knew I might never get an opportunity like this again.”

Karla Rodriguez

A young woman holding a baguette while standing in front of the Notre Dame in Paris, France

Karla Rodriguez participated in “The Architecture & Urbanism of Paris” through the School of Architecture. The six-week studio program gave Rodriguez the opportunity to explore the city and experience its architecture firsthand. The program’s global perspective helped her understand how architecture is shaped by culture, history and place.

The Gilman Program was a major factor in her choice to study abroad. Without the Gilman’s scholarship support, the opportunity would not have been possible, Rodriguez said. The program brought what she learned in the classroom to life, as she encountered some of the most famous pieces of architecture in the world.

“I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to visit Paris, let alone sit in front of Notre-Dame and admire the beauty of its classical Gothic architecture,” said Rodriguez. “It was a dream come true and a moment I will never forget.”

Through hundreds of global learning opportunities, the University of Florida empowers students to grow personally, professionally and academically. With the help of a grant from the Institute of International Education, or IIE, the UF International Center continues to expand access to study-abroad programs for students of all backgrounds.

The IIE American Passport Project grant will allow UF to support up to 25 Pell-eligible students by covering the cost of obtaining a U.S. passport. This support will help students overcome the initial barrier to studying abroad and move more easily in their global journey. 

The grant is another step in UF’s long-standing commitment to international education. 

The UF International Center will host its biannual Study Abroad Fair on Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom. At this event, students can learn more about global learning opportunities and financial resources like the Gilman.